Obituary of Maria Celina Vela Diego

Maria Celina Vela, 91 of Grand Junction, CO passed away Saturday December 3, 2022.

Celina was born July 29, 1932 to Anastacio and Gavina Ortiz. Celina married Fermin Vela and had seven children. Fermin Jr.+, Lydia+, Sandra, Rebecca, Susan, Debra+, Mary+. Celina later divorced and married Rafael Diego. Celina raised her family in Las Animas, CO later moving to Grand Junction. Worked and retired from Mountain Bell. Much of Celina’s time was spent doing what she loved, creating beautiful crafts as she was very talented at crochet.

She spent the last of her years in the care of her daughter Sandra Herrera and family in Arvada, CO

Survived by daughters Sandra Herrera (Manuel Herrera and two daughters 10 great grandchildren), Rebecca Edwards (Tom Edwards, 3 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren) and Susan Vela (4 children, 11 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren) Sister Margaret and Brother Pat Ortiz

Services will be held at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Arvada, CO Friday January 13, 2023. Inurnment is scheduled for January 17, 2023 in Las Animas, CO.